Take Windows 7's XP Mode for a Test Drive

If you're thinking seriously about making a move from Windows XP to Windows 7, but have concerns about application compatibility, Microsoft has the answer: XP Mode.

This free add-on provides a virtual XP operating system that runs inside Windows 7, effectively giving you the best of both worlds. And right now, you can take the XP Mode Release Candidate for a test drive.

You can also see it in action in this soundless but demonstrative video:

As you may have noticed, Microsoft runs a little XP Mode tutorial while the software is installing, which I find very smart.

In fact, I find the whole concept of XP Mode (which is really just a reworked and rebranded version of the classic Virtual PC) quite brilliant. Many businesses shunned Vista due to problems (either perceived or real) with application compatibility. XP Mode all but eliminates those problems. And it'll be free for Windows 7 Professional, Ultimate, and Enterprise users.

So what do you think? Does this make you more likely to make the move to Windows 7? (If not, tell us why.)